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Author Archive | Alex Kamody

THE BOY AND THE HERON (English Dubbed): Last Day Thursday, February 8th

Watch Trailer Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Cast: Voices by: Robert Pattinson, Karen Fukuhara, Gemma Chan, Christian Bale, Mark Hamill, Florence Pugh, Willem Dafoe, Dave Bautista

About the film

Set during WWII, THE BOY AND THE HERON tells the story of Mahito Maki, a young boy who loses his mother and is evacuated with his father from the city to the country to escape the ravages of war. Mahito, burdened by grief and struggling to adjust to his new surroundings, finds himself pestered by a grey heron. While pursuing the bird, Mahito is led to a strange stone tower where he discovers that the structure and the bird are gateways to a world beyond his imagination.

Having announced retirement almost a decade ago, Hayao Miyazaki instead persevered and began storyboarding THE BOY AND THE HERON in 2016 — it seemed that he had one final, fantastic story to tell. In production for nearly seven years and, allegedly, the most expensive film ever made in Japan, Miyazaki’s latest (and last) film has been hailed by critics as a masterpiece of animation filled with characters and themes that exemplify the breadth of Miyazaki’s illustrious career as one of the greatest animators and storytellers in the entertainment industry.

 

 

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Running Time: 124 MIN124 MIN
Closed Captioning is available for this film. Listening Aids are available for this film. Descriptive Aids are available for this film. This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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THE BOY AND THE HERON (English Subtitled): Last Day Wednesday, February 7th

Watch Trailer Director: Hayao Miyazaki

About the film

Set during WWII, THE BOY AND THE HERON tells the story of Mahito Maki, a young boy who loses his mother and is evacuated with his father from the city to the country to escape the ravages of war. Mahito, burdened by grief and struggling to adjust to his new surroundings, finds himself pestered by a grey heron. While pursuing the bird, Mahito is led to a strange stone tower where he discovers that the structure and the bird are gateways to a world beyond his imagination.

Having announced retirement almost a decade ago, Hayao Miyazaki instead persevered and began storyboarding THE BOY AND THE HERON in 2016 — it seemed that he had one final, fantastic story to tell. In production for nearly seven years and, allegedly, the most expensive film ever made in Japan, Miyazaki’s latest (and last) film has been hailed by critics as a masterpiece of animation filled with characters and themes that exemplify the breadth of Miyazaki’s illustrious career as one of the greatest animators and storytellers in the entertainment industry.

 

 

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Running Time: 124 MIN124 MIN
Open Captioning is available for this film. This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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THE ZONE OF INTEREST: Last Day Tuesday, February 20th

Watch Trailer Director: Jonathan Glazer
Writer(s): Jonathan Glazer
Cast: Christian Friedel, Sandra Hüller
Awards: Cannes Film Festival - Grand Prix, Palm d'Or (nom); Oscar - Best International Feature Film (nom)

About the Film

Loosely based on the Martin Amis novel of the same name, THE ZONE OF INTEREST relates the story of real-life Commandant of the Nazi concentration camp at Auchwitz, Rudolf Höss. Höss and his family live an idyllic life of affluence in a villa located right next to the infamous camp where, on the other side of the garden wall, the evils and horrors of war are daily taking place.

Written and directed by Jonathan Glazer (Sexy Beast, Under the Skin), THE ZONE OF INTEREST is a moving portrayal of a family that enjoys the “good life” while being responsible for the literal destruction of the lives of countless others. An instant hit with critics, the film was shortlisted for an Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.

 

 

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Running Time: 105 MIN105 MIN
Closed Captioning is available for this film. Listening Aids are available for this film. Descriptive Aids are available for this film. This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Beat The Heat: THE LAND BEFORE TIME

Watch Trailer Director: Don Bluth

“Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen closely…”

When famine and cataclysm beset the world of the dinosaurs, four young saurians – Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, and Petrie – go in search of relief in a mythical place known as the Great Valley. Their journey presents the group with trials and tribulations that will test their commitment to each other and lead them to discover what is truly important in life. If they can overcome the difficulties they face, they may end up finding more than just salvation.

Executive produced by such Hollywood luminaries as Stephen Spielberg, George Lucas, Kathleen Kennedy, and Frank Marshall, and directed by Don Bluth (The Secret of NIMH, An American Tail), The Land Before Time exists because some of the best minds in movies came together to create this beautiful and endearing 1988 film. Even though the story is set in a prehistoric age, the message it conveys still rings true in these modern times…and always will!

 

 

Click here to see the rest of the Beat the Heat summer line-up

This series is made possible thanks to support from the following sponsors: OUCU Financial, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, Brenen’s Cafe and Deli, Athens County Children Services, Ohio Arts Council, and Arts for Ohio

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Running Time: 69 MIN69 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Ceramics at the Cinema: The Birds Hanging Bird Feeder

Watch Trailer Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: Tippie Hedren, Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette

“Have you ever seen so many birds..?!”

In line with the theme of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 psychological-horror masterpiece The Birds, participants in this relaxing event will decorate a bisqueware bird feeder with colorful ceramics glazes in a design of their choice. Once glazed, the items will be taken and fired to create the finished product. These cute birdfeeders can be hung up and used to attract neighborhood songbirds. The finished pieces will be available for pick up in the Athena lobby one week after the event.

The Ceramics at the Cinema series is a monthly ceramics series that allows participants the opportunity to glaze a bisqueware ceramic project at The Athena Cinema on a weekend afternoon. Each project is paired with a themed movie, presented that evening, on the rooftop of the Athens City Parking Garage, as part of our Movies on the Rooftop series.

We have three ticket options:

– Ceramics at the Cinema Basic – $30: includes admission to the class with all materials for your ceramic piece

– Ceramics at the Cinema Deluxe Single – $50: includes admission to the class with all the materials for your ceramic piece, 1 ticket to the Movie on the Rooftop, and 2 drinks of your choice

– Ceramics at the Cinema Deluxe Couple – $100: includes admission to the class for 2 with all the materials for your ceramic pieces, 2 tickets to the Movie on the Rooftop, and 4 drinks of your choice

Be advised that open slots to attend the glazing tutorials will be limited to 30 people. These events often sell out fast, so don’t wait to claim your spot.

Click the link below for more info about the related film:

Movies on the Rooftop: The Birds

The classes will be led by local artist Emily Beveridge and are all suitable for beginners. The finished pieces will be ready for pick up at the cinema one week after the event.

Schedule:

Class arrival: 12:30-1 p.m.

Class session: 1-2 p.m.

Check out the rest of our exciting line-up of Ceramics at the Cinema/Movies on the Rooftop films:

Ceramics at the Cinema

Movies on the Rooftop

 

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Running Time: 119 MIN119 MIN
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Movies on the Rooftop: THE BIRDS

Watch Trailer Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: Tippie Hedren, Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette

Join us for a special rooftop film screening in conjunction with our Ceramics at the Cinema event!

Screening of this film will take place atop the Athens City Parking Garage. Seating will begin at 8:00 p.m. and the film will begin around 9:00 p.m. (whenever it gets dark enough). Participants are instructed to BRING YOUR OWN CHAIRS. Additional chairs will be available to rent for a $2 fee.

In case of rain in the forecast, the event may be relocated to The Athena Cinema.

Master of Suspense Alfred Hitchcock is in top form for this classic 1963 horror film!

During a chance meeting at a pet store, lawyer Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) and Melanie Daniels (Tippie Hedren) cross paths that lead the two nascent “love birds” to a rendezvous at idyllic Bodega Bay outside the urban chaos of San Francisco. However, before their relationship can take flight, the peace and quiet of the seaside town starts to unravel as a mysterious invasion of feathered berserkers besets the town and wreaks havoc on a level not seen before on the big screen!

Hitchcock’s knack for on-location shooting, his brilliance at employing special effects, and his penchant for visualizing psyche-shattering scripts are all in evidence here, combining to make The Birds not only one of the most-unforgettable horror films, but also one of cinema history’s most-enduring movies!

 

 

Check out the rest of our exciting line-up of Movies on the Rooftop / Ceramics at the Cinema films:

Movies on the Rooftop

Ceramics at the Cinema

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Running Time: 119 MIN119 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Beat The Heat: THE NEVERENDING STORY

Watch Trailer Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Cast: Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, Tami Stronach

This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of Hollywood’s most magnificent fantasy films – The NeverEnding Story!

After his recently-widowed father confronts him about daydreaming too much, bookish 10-year old Bastian Bux heads to school with many deep thoughts to consider. On the way, he encounters a group of bullies who give chase and cause Bastian to take refuge in an odd little bookstore. He takes interest in the unusual book that the proprietor is reading, but is cautioned against opening its cover. When the proprietor becomes distracted, Bastian seizes the opportunity to borrow the book and retreats to the attic of the school to begin reading it. He soon discovers that not only does a world beyond his imagination lie within the pages of the book, but also that he is somehow connected to the events that unfold as the story progresses.

Director Wolfgang Petersen’s film is a triumph of movie magic, with an awe-inspiring plot, unforgettable characters, and it’s message of never losing sight of the fact that a strong imagination can keep the world from forever slipping away.

 

 

 

Click here to see the rest of the Beat the Heat summer line-up

This series is made possible thanks to support from the following sponsors: OUCU Financial, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, Brenen’s Cafe and Deli, Athens County Children Services, Ohio Arts Council, and Arts for Ohio

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Running Time: 102 MIN102 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Welcome Week Rooftop Movie Night: MIDSOMMAR

Watch Trailer

Welcome to Athens, Bobcats! Did you know there’s an indie movie theater in the heart of the city, right on Court St..?

To celebrate Welcome Week, we are offering a FREE (for students) movie screening on top of the Athens City Parking Garage:

MIDSOMMAR

WELCOME WEEK ROOFTOP MOVIE NIGHT

Wednesday, August 28th

Seating for the screening will begin at 7:30 p.m and at 8:30 the show will roll! We will start with some A24-themed trivia and prizes in honor of one of our favorite indie distributors!

OHIO students are free with I.D. (Limit of 2 per student)

** Since these events reach capacity quickly, we strongly recommend that students claim their tickets in advance by coming to The Athena lobby during our normal business hours. **

Non-student admission is $8, and all are welcome!

Chairs will be provided.

Students: we encourage you to come have a look at the magnificent marquee of our 109-year-old theater. You can also check out the movies we’re playing, peruse our great selection of Athena merch, say hello to our amazing staff, and get a limited-edition student loyalty card. Or, if you’re really enthusiastic, help us out by becoming a member – the benefits are totally worth it!

About the Film

Drama, horror, mystery and mythology blend together in Midsommar, Ari Aster’s modern-day tale of paganism-gone-wild!

A group of American students are invited to rural Sweden to take part in a nine-day “midsummer” festival being held at a commune inhabited by pagan ritualists. Each has a different reason for going – Dani is trying to alleviate her grief after a family tragedy, her boyfriend Christian and his pal Josh hope to study the ceremonies and write theses about the experience, and Mark is just going along for the ride. Once they arrive, they are welcomed into the commune; however, the rituals in which they must partake (some involving psychedelics) end up being way more than any of them have bargained for. When Dani is chosen by the commune to serve as “The May Queen”, she is ultimately forced to make some difficult (and terrifying) choices!

Released in 2019 by A24 Studios, this film has come to be regarded as one of the best horror films of the past decade. With its beautiful cinematography by Pawel Pogorzelski, a chilling Norse-folk-inspired soundtrack by Bobby Krlic, and a one-of-a-kind script by Aster himself, Midsommar is, like its 1970’s predecessor The Wicker Man, a strange look inside the murky world pagan religious worship.

 

 

 

 

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Running Time: 148 MIN148 MIN
This Film is Wheelchair Accessible

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Welcome Week Tabling

Welcome, OHIO Bobcats! Some of you are no strangers to Athens, and some of you are newcomers who’ll be learning about all the great things this city has to offer. Either way, we’d love for you to stop by The Athena Cinema at 20 S. Court St. and say hello!

We’ll have a table set up out front of our lobby all through Welcome Week where you can:

  • Grab some yummy snacks like fresh local popcorn, cold beverages, and delicious candy 
  • Have a look at our Athena t-shirt merch – the only place in town where you can buy ’em
  • Purchase an Athena gift card
  • Become a Member – we have 4 membership levels…learn more here
  • Sign up for our weekly email to stay informed of all the fantastic films and events we have coming your way!

We’d love to meet you and tell you all about our special role as a historic art house theater and a local arts venue – we’re proud to be a leader in bringing the Arts to the Appalachian region!

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Movie Night at The Athena: SING SING

Sing Sing – Friday, August 30th at 7:20 p.m.

FREE Admission to the first 150 students with a valid student ID

Sponsored by Ohio University Housing and Residence Life

In partnership with OHIO Residence Life, we’re pleased to host “Movie Night at The Athena” as part of the Welcome Week festivities on campus! We’ll be offering FREE admission for the 7:20 p.m. screening of SING SING from A24 Studios to the first 150 OU Bobcats with a valid student ID, so come on down to our beautiful, historic art house theater at 20 S. Court St. and join us for snacks and a great film!

About the film

From A24 studios comes an emotional drama set within the walls of the infamous Sing Sing Maximum Security Prison. This true-to-life tale follows “Divine G”, an inmate serving time for a crime he didn’t commit, and a group of prisoners who strive to eke out a meaningful, humane existence by banding together to produce an original stage play.

Featuring an excellent performance from veteran San Francisco stage actor Colman Domingo, and juxtaposing trained actors alongside actual inmates, Sing Sing is a powerful and authentic story about the transformative, rehabilitating, and revitalizing power of Art.

 

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